Sexual and Reproductive Health Glossary of Terms

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): The condition, due to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), when the body’s immune system breaks down and is unable to fight certain infections.

Adolescence: The period of physical and emotional change between the beginning of puberty and early adulthood.The World Health Organisation defines adolescents as young people aged 10-19.

Age of Consent: The age at which a young person is legally considered to understand and agree to consensual sex. In Ireland, the age of consent for heterosexual and homosexual sex is 17 for men and women.

Amenorrhea: When a woman does not get her monthly period.

Androgyny: A gender identity that allows expression of masculine and feminine gender roles.

Anus: The opening from the rectum from which solid waste (feces) leaves the body.

Antiretroviral therapy: The course of medications or drugs you take to fight HIV.

Candidiasis: A common vaginal infection caused by a yeast-like fungus. Also known as yeast infection or thrush. Not a sexually transmitted infection.

Cervical mucus: A thick fluid plugging the opening of the cervix. Most of the time it is thick enough to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. At the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, however, the mucus becomes thin and watery, and sperm can more easily pass through.

Cervical Cancer: Cells in the cervix become abnormal and grow at an uncontrolled rate. Caused by persistent infection of certain types of human papillomavirus.

Cervix: The narrow lower part of the uterus (womb), with an opening connecting the uterus to the vagina.

Chancroid: A sexually transmitted infection caused by bacterium that causes an ulcer to grow on the genitals.

Chlamydia: A common sexually transmitted infection caused by bacterium. If left untreated, it can cause infertility.

Clitoris: The female sex organ that is very sensitive to the touch - located between the labia at the top of the vulva.

Colposcopy: An examination that is carried out if abnormal cells have been found on the cervix. A doctor or nurse will look at the cervix using a type of microscope called a colposcope to see if the abnormal cells might develop into cancer in the future.

Eclampsia: A condition that can threaten the life of women during the second half of pregnancy. It can include high blood pressure, fluid buildup, and too much protein in the urine, which can lead to convulsions and coma. Eclampsia can be prevented by careful monitoring of blood pressure and urine during prenatal care.

Ectopic Pregnancy: A life-threatening pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube.

Ejaculation: The release of semen from the penis at orgasm.

Embryo: A fertilized egg up to eight weeks after implantation.

Emergency Contraception: Method of contraception used to avoid pregnancy after a single act of sexual intercourse that was unprotected due to lack of use or failure of a contraceptive. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) must be taken within 72 hours and work by preventing ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation. ECPs do not cause abortion. Intrauterine Devices (IUD) can also be used as emergency contraception and must be inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex.

Endometriosis: The growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus, causing pain, especially before and during menstruation.

Endometrium: The lining of the uterus that develops every month in order to nourish a fertilized egg. The lining is shed during menstruation if there is no fertilization.

Erectile Dysfunction: The inability to become erect or maintain an erection with a partner.

Erogenous Zone: Any area of the body that is very sensitive to sensual touch.

Fallopian Tube: One of two narrow tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus.

Family planning: The voluntary planning and use of contraception by individuals to decide if, when, and/or how many children they would like to have.

Fellatio: Use of the mouth, teeth, and/or tongue to stimulate the penis. Also known as oral sex.

Female Condom: A polyurethane sheath with flexible rings at each end that is inserted deep into the vagina like a diaphragm. It is a reversible barrier method of contraception that may also provide protection against many sexually transmitted infections.

Female Genital Mutilation: A practice involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

Fertilization: The joining of an egg and sperm that forms a zygote.

Foetus: A fertilized egg implanted in the womb that has grown beyond eight weeks.

Foreskin: A retractable tube of skin that covers and protects the glans (head) of the penis. In some cultures and countries, the foreskin is removed at a very young age, this is called male circumcision.

Gender: The socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.

Genitals: External sex and reproductive organs - the penis and scrotum in men, the vulva in women.

Genital Herpes: An infection of herpes simplex virus types 1 or 2 in the area of the anus, buttocks, cervix, penis, vagina, or vulva. Very often there are no symptoms, while the most common symptom is a cluster of blistery sores.

Genital warts: Soft, flesh-colored growths caused by several types of the human papilloma virus. They may look like miniature cauliflower florets and are usually painless, but may itch.

Gonads: The organs that produce reproductive cells — the ovaries of women, the testes of men.

Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted infection that can cause sterility, arthritis, and heart problems.

Implant: An implant is a small flexible tube which is placed just under your skin. It releases a progestogen hormone to prevent pregnancy.

Implantation: The attachment of the embryo to the lining of the uterus.

Intrauterine Device: A small device made of plastic, which may contain copper or a natural hormone, that is inserted into the uterus by a clinician. A reversible method of contraception available only by prescription.

Pelvic Exam: Physical examination of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries — usually includes taking cervical cells for a Pap test and a manual exam of the internal pelvic organs.

Penis: A man's reproductive and sex organ that is formed of spongy tissue and fills with blood during sexual excitement, a process known as erection. Urine and seminal fluid pass through the penis.

Period: The days during menstruation.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: An infection of a woman's internal reproductive system that can lead to sterility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pain. It is often caused by sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

The Pill: Common expression for oral hormonal contraception.

Pre-Embryo: The ball of cells that develops from the fertilized egg until after about nine days, when it attaches to the lining of the uterus and the embryo is formed.

Premature Ejaculation: Ejaculation occurring before a man wants it to occur.

Progesterone: A hormone produced in the ovaries of women that is important in puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy.

Progestin: A synthetic version of progesterone used mainly in contraceptive pills.

Prostate: An internal reproductive organ below the bladder that produces a fluid that helps sperm move.

Puberty: A time in life when a girl is becoming a woman and a boy is becoming a man. Puberty is marked by physical changes of the body such as breast development and menstruation in girls and facial hair growth and ejaculation in boys.

Pubic Lice: Tiny insects that can be sexually transmitted. They live in pubic hair and cause intense itching in the genitals or anus.

Safe Sex: Ways in which people reduce the risk of becoming pregnant and getting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Scabies: Tiny mites that can be sexually transmitted. They burrow under the skin, causing intense itching - usually at night - and small bumps or rashes that appear in dirty-looking, small curling lines, especially on the penis, between the fingers, on buttocks, breasts, wrists, and thighs, and around the navel.

Scrotum: A sac of skin, divided into two parts, enclosing the testes, epididymides, and a part of the vasa deferentia.

Semen: Fluid containing sperm that is ejaculated during sexual excitement. Semen is composed of seminal fluid from the seminal vesicles, fluid from the prostate, and fluid from the Cowper's glands.

Sexism: Discrimination based on a person's gender.

Sexual Abuse: Sexual activity that is harmful or not consensual.

Sexual Assault: The use of force or coercion, physical or psychological, to make a person engage in sexual activity.

Urethra: The tube and opening from which women and men urinate. The urethra empties the bladder and carries urine to the urethral opening. In men, the urethra runs through the penis and also carries ejaculate and pre-ejaculate during sex play.

Uterus: The pear-shaped, muscular reproductive organ from which women menstruate and where normal pregnancy develops; the womb.